VESDA PipeNetwork Design Guide VESDA by Xtralis
8 www.xtralis.com
3.6 Site Construction
The designer should consider:
l The material used in the construction of the site. (It is easier to run pipes through plaster than concrete
walls)
l The internal design and the material used for internal surfaces, decoration and furniture
l The types of rooms or areas to be monitored (high ceilings, high air exchange rate)
l The existence and use of ceiling and floor voids (beams and beam pockets)
l Obstructions to pipe layout or the free movement of air
l Placement of equipment requiring special protection (object detection)
l Location of mechanical ventilators, air handling units, return air ducts, and supply and exhaust air
systems
l The beam layout, beam pockets and other ‘odd’ construction spaces
3.7 Surrounding Environment
Attention should be paid to the environment surrounding the site. If the site is situated in an area of high
pollution levels, the VESDA zone(s) subjected to frequent exposure to external environment may record
unexpected increase in the background level of smoke. To compensate for this, reference detectors may be
required. Typically certain areas within the site like warehouses and loading bay areas are normally subject to
external environmental influences and require special attention during the design of the pipe network. Refer to
Section 4.10 on page 24 for further information.